Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It is represented as a percentage (Bx) and is determined using a tool called a refractometer. This would yield an ABV value of approximately 4.8%. Generally, Plato is used more frequently in the beer industry, since it is better suited to measure the amount of fermentable and non-fermentable extract in the liquid. The relationship between density and degrees Baum has been expressed in various ways during the time it has been used. This means that if the liquid had a Brix reading of 10 Bx, it would contain 18.6 % sugar by weight. Take the Brix reading, multiply by 4 and this will give you specific gravity in gravity points. For example, if you read 11 Brix, multiplying that by 4 yields 44, which corresponds to a specific gravity of 1.044. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a liquid compared to the density of water. Honey is made up of fructose, glucose, and other sugars. One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution and represents the strength of the solution as percentage by mass. A hydrometer looks a bit like an oversized thermometer and is calibrated to measure cold syrup at 60F or hot syrup at 211F or higher. Of course, this is only an estimation. 6Trainingtraining@esha.comT: 503-585-6242 ext. All rights reserved. 1.5 ounces or a shot of hard liquor (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, etc.) One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience with it. Besides the Brix scale there are other comparable scales for indicating sucrose content in a sample, such as degrees Plato, Baum, Oechsle and Balling. They also do it after the culmination of the fermentation process. WebTo calculate the relative water contents (RWC) following formula was used. We stirred, and in both cases we ended up with one kilo samples of clear liquid that looked like water but certainly did not taste that way. Brix is used in winemaking and brewing to measure the sugar content of liquids and can serve as an indicator of the potential alcohol content of a liquid. In this case, both are correct! 1233 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<9E39BF2C6E32C4408651678F0589A9C3><629F7E41F2C9414CA77E30DBFBAFBD99>]/Index[1201 51]/Info 1200 0 R/Length 141/Prev 311328/Root 1202 0 R/Size 1252/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream A hydrometer is placed in water and then in a number of carefully prepared sugar solutions of different known concentrations. In given below equation, FW is fresh weight, DW is dry weight and TW is turgid weight. Winemakers need to understand when they should add sugar to the alcohol to ensure it meets the minimum alcohol level, as needed by laws. 8 ounces of malt liquor = 7% ABV. The Brix scale can be used to measure the sweetness of honey. For example, if the initial Brix reading is 8, then it would take 18 parts of sugar to increase the Brix by 1. Distilling Alcohol at Home Calculations, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wrthersee / sterreich. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Benchtop refractometer: 15 sec. Digital Density Meters and Refractometers likethe Density Meter Excellence D4 and the Refractometer Excellence R4 from METTLER TOLEDO allow direct measurement of degrees Brix or HFCS %. The suspended solids are most commonly organic fibers. The measurement is based on the amount of sugar dissolved in water, and a Brix measurement of 15 means that there are approximately 15 grams of sugar in 100 milliliters of the liquid. Conversion: [Oe] = 4,25 * [Brix], Grams sugar per liter:SI-unit (Systmeinternational dunitsor metric system) to indicate the concentration of solutions. Step 4: Look through the eyepiece while you point the prism toward a light source. WebBrix measurements are mostly done in the food industry for quality control reasons e.g. Compute the increase in brix desired (i.e. Brix is 38-43oBe 'Boom' 0.5 Be' In the juices of fruits and vegetables, soluble solids are mostly sugars, and the Brix measurement approximates the sugar content of a sample; 20 Brix means approximately 20% sugar, for example. . This is the specific gravity of the milk. dissolved in the oil using a refractometer device. Specific gravity relates the weight of a given volume of liquid to the same volume of water. Higher cost in comparison to hydrometers, pycnometers or optical handheld refractometers, but short return on investment. All Rights Reserved. In given below equation, FW is fresh weight, DW is dry weight and TW is turgid weight. Measure Brix concentration accurately with our Refractometers or Density Meters. Its what makes up a the taste of the drink or even its gravity, as we will take a look at below. Many brewers, though opt for the technique involving refractometers to calculate the Brix of a sample. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'coalitionbrewing_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',153,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-leader-2-0');Brix is a measure of the sugar content in fruits and other products. Brix is determined by WebBi = initial Brix Bf = final Brix Substituting equations (2-5) and (2-6) into equations (2-7) and (2-8) gives us: If were adding honey or concentrate as a sweetener, well need to Even though the calculations involving these factors will get you close to the correct potential alcool value, there is a lot of conjecture about their precision. To take a reading, simply place the thermometer in the liquid and wait for the mercury to reach equilibrium. The ratio of these sugars determines the sweetness of honey. Wine Volume: Enter your expected wine volume, not your must volume. Liquids heavier than water like must or wort have a specific gravity greater than 1.000. You may also use this calculator to blend with sap or water. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. For example, if the Brix reading is 10 Bx, the density of the liquid will be 10/1.04, or 9.6 %. In general, the terms degrees Brix, degrees Plato and degrees Balling are all interchangeable. Beer brewers need to take down the values and data before, after, and during the fermentation process. WebTo calculate sugar using straight math: To adjust the sugar to 210 or 220 brix . The different yeasts strains have different levels of attenuation, so they will all convert different percentages of sugar to alcohol. Once you measure gravity, this tool will also determine the ABV of your craft beer. Easy to use: Place 2 drops of samples on the main prism, close the plate, and watch through the display window to read the brick value (Applications) Suitable for measuring honey, condensed milk, vegetable oil, sugar syrup, fruit jams and molasses. Also, Brix is measured on a scale that runs from 0 to 100, while Plato is measured on a scale that runs from 0 to 180. Brix scale is important indicator for maturity of the grape. Estimate your gallonage after fermentation based on 12-13 pounds of fruit per gallon . This calculation is an approximation, for more detailed alcohol prediction see the alcohol prediction calculator. Your email address will not be published. One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution. It is expressed by percentage weight (% w/w) and by the following definition: 1 degree Plato = 1 g extract / 100 g wort. Avoid shaking the hydrometer, as this will introduce bubbles that will give false readings. That is why an accurate Brix measurement needs to take temperature into account. is prepared by 60g sugar in 40g or ml of water, giving a solution of 60 brix. 3 Use an eyedropper to suck some juice up. Thus we learned that refractometers measure total dissolved solids, not just dissolved sugar. One degree Plato is equal to one gram of sucrose in 1000g of liquid. What Brix 60? The second reading should be taken after a period of time (at least two weeks, typically two months). Therefore, 20% Brix would equal 20 grams of sugar per 100 grams of liquid. Pycnometers can produce very accurate results when used correctly. 1251 0 obj <>stream WebThere is Sugar water volume calculator that can make the process much easier. If you measure value 25 Bx it means that in the 100 g of aqueous solution is dissolved 25 g of sucrose. As a sweetener, HFCS is often compared to granulated sugar, but manufacturing advantages of HFCS over sugar include its ease of handling and cost-effectiveness. The tables differ in their conversion from weight percentage to specific gravity in the fifth and sixth decimal places of the specific gravity scale. This is because some of the sugar has been converted to alcohol during the fermentation process. Calculator for sugar concentrates dilution This calculator helps you to determine how many liters of water you must add to the concentrated syrup to get an aqueous WebTo raise 1 gallon of must, 1 Brix, add 1.5 oz of sugar. Plato is a measure of the concentration of dissolved solids in a liquid, so it can be used to measure the concentration of dissolved solids or extracts in a liquid. While seemingly arcane, the Brix scale is useful in the culinary world, in particular with wines. The scale is generally used to measure the amount of sugar in a liquid, but it can also be used to measure the amount of sugar in a solid, such as honey. The difference between Balling and Plato is about 0.05% wt/wt. How do you measure Brix with a digital density meter? Use a pair of pliers to squeeze liquid from the leaf onto the refractometer's prism to test it. This should give a reading of zero; clean and calibrate the device if this value is not obtained. (Bx) and defined as the amount of sucrose in grams present in every 100 grams of liquid. WebNepal Agricultural Research Council. The Brix scale is important for honey because it is a measure of the sugar content of honey. WebDensity Blending Calculator. If the Brix scale does not have a zero, then the reading is the number of degrees Celsius that the liquid is below zero. This frequency changes when the tube is filled with the sample: The higher the mass of the sample, the lower the frequency. This means that if the initial reading of the Brix is 0, then it will take 10 parts of sugar to raise the Brix to 1. 2. So, if you are taking a reading of a liquid that is near the freezing point, it is possible to get a reading of 0 degrees Celsius even though the liquid may actually be a few degrees above or below zero. 8.5 Bx instead of nD: 1.3458, 9.1 Bx instead of nD: 1.3465). WebBrix: a measure of fruit sweetness. Quick checks of a "rough" refractive index value, especially for Brix measurements in beverages, fruit, jam, honey and other sugar-based products, Heat transfer fluids as ethylene and propylene glycol (antifreeze chemicals), Special instruments with direct readings in Brix or salinity. The Brix value of a given product can be directly obtained by using a device called refractometer or hydrometer. hbbd```b``^";A$d;f7`2L,M`r;&o`tb`%Hh"@f dt%6+Dry ;"ER@%#LF 0 n To use a hydrometer, first find the temperature that the milk is being stored at. Oeo (old) = degrees Oechsle sg = specific gravity, Oen (new) = degrees Oechsle nD = refractive index. Similar to brewers, a lot of winemakers also calculate the Brix value for calculation of the potential alcoholic strength. Refractometers can be used to not only measure the specific gravity of the liquid, but they can be used to measure the sugar content or the potential alcohol content of the liquid as well. The traditional method for determination of Brix is by using hydrometer, which will measure the density (specific gravity) of the grape juice. We use corn sugar (dextrose), as it is a simple sugar ready for yeast consumption. Keep in mind that the basis for any sugar content measurement is the specific gravity of a liquid sample when using a digital density meter or pycnometer, and the refractive index when using a digital refractometer or one of the manual methods listed above. In mass percent both solvent and ingredient are specified by weight, so it is mass per mass (weight per weight), therefore other abbreviations are [% m/m] or [% m]. Oechsle is a scale used to measure the density of grape must and is mainly used in Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Used in industrial chemistry and pharma, brewing, and the winemaking industry in French-speaking countries, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. The value of this parameter can range from 1 to 100 and is useful in the calculation of approximate alcohol content by simply multiplying it by 0.59. As sugar content increases, degrees brix likewise decreases. Percentagealcoholbyvolume: internationally the common unit to indicate the alcohol content in alcoholic beverages. A built-in Peltier thermostat controls the temperature of benchtop instruments. Step 2: You should ensure that the refractometer surface is clean and dry. If you type the sugar content into one of the four stated units and click Calculate or press the enter key, the other units will be calculated, as well as the alcohol content. The refractive index depends not only on the wavelength used to measure, but also on the temperature of the solution being measured. It is commonly used to measure the original and final gravity of a beer and is used by brewers to determine the amount of alcohol by volume in a given beer. When using a hydrometer for Brix measurements, make sure to have the correct calibrated type for the sample. Yes, the Brix measurement of a liquid fluctuates according to temperature. endstream endobj startxref document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Degrees Brix (Bx) is the sugar content of an aqueous solution. The calculation and estimation of the alcoholic strength of a brew are of great interest to all brewers. Developed in 1843, Balling is the oldest scale used to measure dissolved solid concentrations, principally the sugar content of wort during brewing. and after a short mathematical derivation of the resulting quadratic equation we have: One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution. 6Billing/Accountsinfo@esha.comT: 503-585-6242 ext. divide the refractometer value (Brix WRI) by the hydrometer value (converted to Plato / Brix) A Brix acid ratio is the ratio of the degrees Brix of the juice to the grams of anhydrous citric acid per 100 grams of the juice. The refractometer measures the levels of potential alcohol when alcohol is present. [Brix] = (-10 + SQUAREROOT(100 + 4 * 4,25 / 100 * [g/l])) / (2 * 4,25 / 100), Percentage by mass (percentage by weight) is NOT a common unit to indicate the alcohol content in alcoholic beverages, but it is common in chemistry and for the sake of completeness it is mentioned here also. This unit is used by the most vintners internationally. Therefore, users must keep in mind that the Brix measured via any of the abovementioned instruments depends strongly on the temperature! A refractometer works by shining a beam of light through a sample of a liquid, such as beer wort or wine must, and measuring the angle of refraction. The accompanying table shows Brix measurement results for a variety of sample measured once with a density meter and once with a refractometer. Generally, 10 parts of sugar to 1 part of liquid will increase the Brix by one. To raise 1 gallon of must, 1 Brix, add 1.5 oz of sugar. This can represent a very large load on the wastewater treatment plant. Liquids lighter than water, such as alcohol, have a specific gravity less than 1.000. In one of my previous articles, an important issue relating to calculation of refrigeration needs during wine fermentation stage was raised, i.e., Degrees Brix, usually shortened to Brix, refers to a scale of measurement for soluble solids in a liquid. Using this formula, a Brix reading of 11 yields a specific gravity of 1.043. A hydrometer is a device used to measure the specific gravity (or relative density) of liquids; that is, the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of water. Brix can be measured using two different instruments: A refractometer or a hydrometer. It is one way to measure the amount of sugar that has been added to a wort or beer during fermentation. In cases where the Brix level is consistently lower, reconstituted juice from these countries introduced into international trade will be acceptable, provided it meets the authenticity methodology listed in the General Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectars and the level is not below 10 Brix. High Fructose Corn Syrup, or HFCS, is a liquid sweetener that is extracted from cornstarch containing mainly fructose and D-glucose. Check out our animation to learn more about refractive index. Typically made of glass, a pycnometer is a flask of pre-defined volume used to measure the density of a liquid. Remember, Brix and Specific Gravity are different units for calculating the potential alcohol strength in a solution. Balling is the oldest scale and still appears on older saccharimeters, but it has been replaced by the Brix and Plato scales, mainly because the Balling scale was calibrated at 17.5C. Build your own applications with our database, Integrate your web applications with our database, Search through the eCFR, FDA, and USDA Regulations, Calculating Brix (Sugar Content of a Solution) | Genesis R&D Food, ESHA Research uses cookies to improve the features of the site, analyze traffic, and to understand how users interact with our site. According to CODEX STAN 247, the Brix level for orange juice should be between 11.2 and 11.8, and consistent with the values stipulated by the national legislation of the importing country, but not lower than 11.2. Digital density meter, digital refractometer, pycnometer, hydrometer, manual refractometer. 1201 0 obj <> endobj Degrees Plato, also known as the Plato scale, is another scale that measures the content of sugar in the wort during brewing. Conversion: [Oe] = 4,25 * [Brix] g/l: Grams The traditional method for determination of hb```f`` AX,9e\v5N?90dgnk"E&48qLu$qErb(M&_=MEY2=E|h.)"RiPgyG +QFu. One degree Brix is defined as 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of an aqueous solution; if the only soluble solid in the solution is sucrose, then 1 gram of sugar will raise the value by 1 Bx. In other words, in 100 g of aqueous sucrose solution is 25 g of sucrose and 75 g of water. In coke final syrup tank we add water, simple syrup and concentrate to mix it well and its brix is What is a typical Brix value for orange juice? How much sugar does it take to raise 1 Brix? Degrees Brix (symbol Bx) is, Degrees Brix, usually shortened to Brix, refers to a scale of measurement for soluble solids in a liquid. In percentage by volume both solvent and ingredient are specified by volume, so it is volume per volume. The Baum scale is based on the specific gravity of a sample, not the refractive index. Brix is a measure of the amount of dissolved solids in a liquid via its specific gravity, and is used especially to measure dissolved sugar. The higher the number, the sweeter and denser the beer. This tutorial will show you how to calculate and display a brix SG = (Brix / (258.6-((Brix / 258.2)*227.1))) + 1, Brix = (((182.4601 * SG -775.6821) * SG +1262.7794) * SG -669.5622). This formula was calculated for refinery final molasses which as a [PDF] Sugar Losses 16-Apr-2020 Sugar in Molasses. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Sugar syrup intended for beverage and similar The traditional method for determination of Brix is by using hydrometer, which will measure the density (specific gravity) of the grape juice. With both methods, the results obtained are identical when measuring pure sucrose or pure HFCS and can be compared with each other. For water, enter zero. The Plato scale is also an improvement on the Balling scale, and is calibrated at 20C. It is used to measure the density and sweetness of a liquid, such as in wine or beer. A beers character and flavor will be in large part dependent on the type and amount of dissolved sugars present in a given beer. If the Brix scale has a zero, then the reading is simply the number of degrees Celsius that the liquid is above zero. An even more accurate reading can be attained with a hydrometer calibration chart. The description serves as a resource for customers to learn more about local and international Brix Refractometer markets, emerging trends, product applications, and rivalry. All three scales express the weight percentage of sugar solutions and relate this weight to specific gravity. The chaptalisation calculation is based on calculation of dissolved solids (grams per litre) as discussed in the Gravity/Density/Sugar Conversions section. Brix scale is important indicator for maturity of the grape. In short, this is because the higher the moisture content, the higher the probability that the honey will spoil during storage. One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution and represents the strength of the solution as percentage by mass. The refractive index can be read directly from the built-in scale by looking into the refractometer. WebBrix (Bx) is defined as the percentage of sugar by weight in a solution. , and is used especially to measure dissolved sugar. Calculating Brix from SG is based on an expression from a polynomial fit to a large data set: brix = 143.254 * sg3 - 648.670 * sg2 + 1125.805 * sg - 620.389 Method 2. 5. Overall, Brix and Plato are two separate units used to measure the density of a liquid. Software program: Genesis R&D FoodBrix is the sugar content of a solution and is used when making wine, syrups, carbonated beverages, and juices. Measurement is time consuming (up to 25 min / sample). Collect a sample of distilled water and place it on the refractometers sample plate surface. As the dry matter increases, so does the total soluble solids. The Brix, measured at 200C, is said to be the amount of total sugar in fruit. Gunpowder would not burn in alcohol that contained less than 57.15 % ABV. It is possible to measure the Brix and HFCS content either with a density meter or a refractometer. Degrees Brix, usually shortened to "Brix", refers to a scale of measurement for soluble solids in a liquid. In practice, not necessarily. 263. Yes, a refractometer does measure specific gravity. Measurement range: 58-90% (sugar), 1% 10-33% (moisture). It is important to remember that Plato is a measure that is specific to brewing, whereas specific gravity is a measure that can be used across many different contexts. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Heres a list of common alcoholic beverages all with the same amount of alcohol and their ABV content: 12 ounces of regular beer = 5% ABV. 0 No, Brix and Plato are not the same. This reading is the samples Brix. Then in the early 1900s, Plato and his collaborators made further improvements, introducing the Plato scale. Learn how to measure the sugar content during fermentation. When measuring pure sucrose content in water, the techniques will deliver the same result. To calculate the alcohol content in Brix (referred to as alcohol by volume, or ABV) you need to measure the difference between two specific gravity readings of a solution. Distilled alcohol was proved by dousing gunpowder with it and then testing to see if the gunpowder would ignite. Frequently the material to be fed to a screw press has both dissolved solids and suspended solids. A common example is orange peel which typically has 80% water (moisture) and measures 10 Bx. It is one of the most commonly used indicators of juice quality as well as fruit maturity. This tutorial will show you how to calculate and display a brix value in Genesis R&D Food. It is currently used in the industrial production of beer, wine, honey and concentrated acids. Members receive a FREE subscription to the Daily News Email. One degree Brix is equal to 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution, which is equal to 1% Brix. First, check the density meter with deionized water; the result should be 0 % w/w or 0.9982 g/cm3 at 20 C (consider your tolerances). How do you measure Brix with a portable analog refractometer? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Possibility to connect with other instruments for multiparameter measurements (benchtop meters only). 5. Back to top Measure High (off-scale) Brix by Dilution: Dilution DEtOHdensity ethanol: 0.7913 [kg/l]. When using a hydrometer for Brix Once you are done determining the specific gravity of the solution, you can refer to the numerous conversion tables available. WebBs = sugar Brix w = density of water = 0.9982 kg/liter at 20C msa = mass of sugar added, kg vwa = volume of water added, liters In this case the known values are vi, sgf, Bf, and mwa . 5. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'coalitionbrewing_com-leader-4','ezslot_15',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-leader-4-0');The Brix scale is used to measure the sugar content in honey. When it comes to sugar (Brix) determination, the denser the liquid and the more sugar it contains, the higher the hydrometer will float. To convert the specific gravity of a liquid sample to Plato, the following formula is used: Plato = (-1 x the (specific gravity 1)) x 1000. Brix can easily be converted to SG using the following equation . What is the Brix Percentage? Brix measurement can be performed by refractive index as well as by density. For example, if the specific gravity of a sample is 1.030, the calculation to convert to Plato would be: Plato = (-1 x (1. This instrument then compares this refraction to provide a Brix value. Degrees Brix (symbol Bx) is the sugar content of an aqueous solution. Brix. Plato is a unit of measure in brewing which is used to measure the amount of dissolved solids in a liquid. It is expressed as either a percentage or Bx (degrees Brix). A liquid with a Brix value of 10Bx would contain 10% sugar by weight. Your email address will not be published. adjusted sucrose percentage Recoverable sugar yield If you are a brewer, you need to look at establishing the alcohol contents of your brew. PS If your kid is hunting for a project for the school science fair, give him this one. Please reload the page. As the refraction depends on the wavelength of the incident light, the refractive index is measured at the wavelength of the D line of sodium (589.3 nm) as a standard and symbolized by nD. The process of fermentation turns sugar into alcohol. 63% Brix is a measure of soluble solids in a liquid, which includes sugar, but can also include other substances such as minerals, salts, acids, proteins, and ethanol. The gunpowder test was officially replaced by a specific gravity test in 1816.source: en.wikipedia. To ensure this, consider following a strict calibration schedule and save records of your calibrations. 4:30p.m. Another formula, which has proven to be more accurate is , SG = 1.000019 + [0.003865613(Brix) + 0.00001296425(Brix) + 0.00000005701128(Brix)]. In many cases, the Brix value is just used as a check value, simpler to read than density or refractive index (e.g. Therefore 50 [% ABV] will have 50 * 7 / 4 = 87.5 [ proof]. What is homeostasis and why is it important to life on Earth? Learn how to measure sugar content during fermentation. [D]density [kg/l] 030 1)) x 1000 = 30 Plato. Plato is a unit of measurement used in the brewing industry to indicate beer worts density in relation to the water density. While using the Hydrometer, to measure the sugar contents and progress of fermentation, here is what you need to know. Collect a sample of distilled water and place it on the refractometers sample plate surface. This is called the final gravity and will generally be lower than the original gravity. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For home distilling you need an alcoholic liquid, e.g., a fermented mash. As fermentation progresses and sugar content decreases, winemakers will often check the actual sugar content of the wine by taking a small sample and measuring its Brix. The first reading should be taken immediately after fermentation has completed. IMPORTANT: This is a rough approximation. We use corn sugar (dextrose), as it is a simple sugar ready for yeast consumption. A screw press cannot separate dissolved solids. There are different versions of the scale, for liquids more dense and less dense than water. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Brix scale is used to measure sugar content in substances such as soft drinks, fruit juices and tomato concentrates, as well as products such as cutting oil, which are very often far away from pure sucrose/water solutions. Brix is usually measured using a refractometer, while Plato is usually measured using a hydrometer. If you have no idea how much wine you will get, Once the refractometer is calibrated, turn off the unit to ensure that the readings remain accurate. Brix is a measure of the number of grams of sucrose in 100 grams of aqueous solution. Additionally, clean the sample plate surface and lenses before and after each use in order to ensure the best readings. For winemakers, knowing the Brix value is important. What is the difference between Brix and Plato? |. To test Brix, we took two 100 gram samples, one each of sugar and of salt, and placed them, respectively, in 900 grams of water. Once you have the temperature, you can consult a chart to find the corresponding specific gravity. The scale is calibrated so that the refractive index of water is 1.